Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rahul Pandey today chaired a meeting to review the overall scenario of Industrial and Allied Sectors in the district here at DC office complex.At the outset, the General Manager District Industries Centre gave a detailed overview of the functioning of Industrial Units, Employment generation, besides a detailed account of the schemes being implemented under New Industrial Policy and the Investment proposals being offered to the Industrial sector in Kathua.The GM apprised that around 8,000 Kanal Land has been acquired under the Land Bank Scheme to accommodate the expansion of industries in Kathua. He said investment proposals worth Rs 17,000 crore have been pledged by arrays of industries which have the potential to create enough employment opportunities for the local population, besides pushing the economic development of the region.
The DC emphasized on adopting a well thought out planning process so that Kathua can emerge as a favourite investment destination for the investors from across the country.While reviewing the Handloom & Handicraft sector, the Deputy Commissioner said that Kathua has tremendous potential to leave impressions on global landscape owing to its distinct indigenous Basohli art and other intrinsic crafts like Basohli Pashmina by creating market linkages and providing direct selling platforms to the original manufacturers. “This will serve two-fold purpose of preserving the dying art on one hand and ensuring the best price to the artisans for their work by removing intermediaries” he observed.The DC enjoined upon the department to devise mechanisms to safeguard the rich art & craft profile of the district by supporting and encouraging the artisans.